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Afghanistan booked their place in the second round of the T20 World Cup 2024 with a seven-wicket win over Papua New Guinea that confirmed New Zealand’s exit from the tournament.
After bundling out Papua New Guinea for 95 off 19.5 overs at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad, Afghanistan reached their victory target with something to spare, finishing on 101-3 off 15.1 overs.
The result means Afghanistan will join West Indies as the qualifiers for the Super Eight second phase from Group C, with winless New Zealand eliminated along with Uganda and Papua New Guinea.
Chasing a paltry total of 96, Gulbadin Naib hit an unbeaten 49 to steer Afghanistan home after PNG gave them an early scare with the ball. Earlier, The Rashid Khan-led side bowled PNG out for a paltry total of 95 with Fazalhaq Farooqi returning figures of 3/16. Naveen-ul-Haq also bagged two wickets while Noor Ahmad struck late after PNG offered some resistance with the bat. Afghanistan had won the toss and chose to bowl first against Papua New Guinea in their Group C match of the T20 World Cup at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad.